Instant Pot Thai Basil Fried Rice Vegan

If you enjoy Thai food and its flavors, you’ll definitely love this homemade Thai-style vegan fried rice. Unlike Indian Chinese veg fried rice, this dish has its own unique flair. I’ve prepared it numerous times for potlucks, gatherings, and weeknight dinners, and my husband absolutely loves this. Today I am sharing how to make Thai basil fried rice recipes in Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT Pressure Cooker. Basil fried rice is so easy to make in this instant pot and takes less than 20 minutes. My Other favorite Instant Pot Thai recipes are Thai red curry and Thai peanut noodles. NO INSTANT POT? No problem! You can easily make this Thai fried rice recipe on the stovetop using leftover rice. Find the detailed recipe below.

Ingredients

Rice: Aromatic white or brown jasmine rice is perfect for this Thai basil rice recipe, but any short-grain rice can also be used. Onion: I have used yellow onions, as they give sweetness to the dish. You can also use scallions. Garlic, ginger, and Thai chilies: I have used freshly minced ginger and garlic. You can use either Thai red or green chilies. Vegetables: I have used red bell pepper. To make it healthier, you can also add frozen carrots, beans, peas, or mushrooms. Soy sauce: Or tamari for gluten-free. Soy sauce adds extra zing to the dish. Herbs: Add roughly torn Thai basil and cilantro for authentic flavors. If Thai basil isn’t available, regular basil works well too. Oil: Sesame oil tastes the best, but olive oil or coconut oil can also be used. Nuts: Cashews are added for crunch, but you can also use roasted crushed peanuts. However, adding nuts is entirely optional. Hot sauce: Optional. Add sriracha or red chili sauce for the heat.

How to Make Thai Basil Fried Rice in Instant Pot

Press SAUTE on the Instant Pot. Add oil, and once it’s hot, add minced garlic, ginger, and Thai chilies. Sauté for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Next, add the onions and sauté for about 2 minutes until they turn soft. Add the bell pepper, rinsed jasmine rice, water, and salt. Mix well and deglaze the pot by scraping any food particles sticking to the bottom to avoid a BURN alert. Close the lid securely on the pot. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and adjust the timer to 4 minutes. When the Instant Pot beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. Turn on the SAUTE mode. Push the cooked rice to the side and add soy sauce, sriracha, or red chili sauce. Mix to combine everything thoroughly. Next, add roasted cashews (optional), cilantro (coriander leaves), Thai basil (roughly torn), black pepper, and salt. Toss everything well until the leaves wilt slightly. Vegan Thai Basil Fried Rice is ready. Enjoy!

Stovetop Pot Method

In a large pan or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add minced garlic, ginger, and Thai chilies. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until aromatic. Next, add the onions and saute for about 2 minutes till the onions turn soft. Then add the veggies and stir fry until they are tender but crisp. Then add soy sauce and sriracha. Sauté over high heat, stirring regularly to prevent burning. Add the cooked or leftover rice, salt, and ground black pepper. Gently mix everything evenly. Lastly, add roasted cashews (optional), cilantro (coriander leaves), Thai basil leaves. Toss everything well until the leaves wilt. Let it cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Thai Basil Fried Rice is ready. Enjoy!

Variations

Protein: You can stir in plant-based protein like fried tofu or scrambled eggs. Grain Alternatives: You can substitute jasmine rice with white basmati rice, brown rice, millets, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for healthier options. Other Vegetables: Add vegetables of your choice, like broccoli, green peas, carrots, snap peas, and mushrooms.